REK to Release Craft Beer Label!

Country music star Robert Earl Keen has teamed up with Fredericksburg’s Pedernales Brewing Co. to release the Texas musician’s brand of craft beer.

The first beer Pedernales will brew for the country musician is a Honey Pilsner, which uses honey from Fain’s Honey in Llano, TX. The brewery describes the beer (5 percent ABV and 20 IBUs) as a classic Pilsner with a twist, showcasing hints of honey with a crisp, clean finish.

To be marketed as Rober Earl Keen Honey Pils, the beer will be distributed in 12-ounce cans and kegs. It’s expected to be released to market at retail stores and bars in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona by mid-October, said Lee Hereford, the brewery’s CEO and president.

Initially, the Honey Pils will be the only beer distributed under the Robert Earl Keen label. But Hereford said the brewery is looking at other styles such as a Raspberry Hefeweizen to release as its second beer. That brew is expected to hit shelves and bars by spring 2015.

In other news for Pedernales, the brewery looks to release an English-style Porter (Lobo Porter) in kegs by November and in bottles by early December. The brewery also looks to add a West Coast-style IPA to its lineup in the near future.

Finally, at the Mexico Beer Expo 2014, which took place earlier this month, Pedernales won a gold medal for its Lobo Texas lager and a silver medal for its Lobo Lito in the lager category. It also won a a gold medal for its Lobo Negro in the dark lager category.